On Monday 29 June 2026, government repealed the Vagrancy Act, ending nearly two centuries of legislation that has criminalised rough sleeping and begging.
Originally introduced in 1824, the Vagrancy Act has taken an archaic and damaging approach to rough sleeping, using enforcement that has pushed people further away from services instead of connecting them with effective support that would enable people to move on from homelessness and rebuild their lives.
You can read the Government’s press release as well as an article in The Observer on the repeal.
CEO of Homeless Link, Rick Henderson, said:
“This is truly a landmark moment that will change the lives of the many people at risk of being criminalised simply for seeking somewhere safe to sleep. That this archaic law is finally being repealed is a credit to all those who have long campaigned for its removal - Crisis and many of our members among them - and to the leadership shown by this Government in finally scrapping the Act.
“Rough sleeping should never be a crime. It is a result of people being let down by the systems intended to support them. We hope that the repeal of the Vagrancy Act shows the Government’s ambition and intent to move away from a punitive, crisis led response towards one rooted in prevention, cross government responsibility and targeted support ensuring that everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.”